HOSPITALITY CENTER
The Hospitality Center, situated about 3 ½ km. (two miles) from where the Africa Mercy is docked, opened its doors the first week in March. The 40 bed facility offers overnight provision for up to 90 patients awaiting surgeries and other procedures, as well as on-land office space for eye services and other programs. The Center housed 88 patients and caregivers overnight to prevent travel problems during Togo’s recent national election.
Pre-op and post -op services for 240 eye patients, including 80 cataract surgeries, were handled during the first week of operation. According to Eye Specialist Woody Hopper, who heads the eye services office, “It is expected that 1600 eye patients will pass through the facility during this field service.”
Surrounded by a gated cement wall, the facility is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the tumultuous city of Lomé. The Center is housed in a government-owned clinic in the process of becoming a hospital. The Togolese government is allowing the use of one wing for this facility for the duration of the Togo field service. Mercy Ships workers have replaced the leaky roof, installed electricity and air conditioning, and done a total cleaning. The result is a sanitary, up-to-date, and pleasant place for patients awaiting medical services.
The management team, Barry and Cheryl Wells, Chris Coburn, and Ellen DePagter, share the work load. In addition, there are 22 day volunteers, working in teams, who do maintenance, drive the shuttles, and assist guests. Ellen heads the education and training sessions. The Hospitality Center is under the supervision of Mark Palmer, Land Based Programs Manager. All surgeries take place on the Africa Mercy.
Opening day, the first group of 30 patients received pre-op services before Dr. Glen Strauss performed their eye surgeries onboard. They returned to the Center for post-op care and assembled on the outdoor foyer, where they received instruction, as well as complimentary pouches containing products for their eye care between visits to the Center. Assistants Innocent Kugbeyo and Marcel Goussunoo gave instructions in both French, Togo’s official language, and Ewe, one of the country’s most prevalent tribal languages.
Following the instruction session, Innocent led the group in prayer. He then produced his native drum, and praying became a celebration in song. “I’m giving thanks to God. I will always call on God” they sang with smiling faces and arms raised, as they moved in unison to the music. Soon, everyone in the immediate area was singing and dancing with them. Once laser surgeries begin, such prayer and celebrations will take place every Friday for up to 120 patients, thanking God in song for His goodness.
Innocent and Marcel were day volunteers in Benin last year, and were trained to assist in the eye program. They lead worship and function as translators. Innocent says he loves what he is doing. “It’s a very pleasure to work with Mercy Ships,” he said. “I worked in Benin last year and (after this field service) plan to finish my discipleship training in Ghana so I can return to work with Mercy Ships.”
Woody Hopper added, “We were blessed to have (workers) that were trained last year in Benin. It makes it so much easier because they know what to do”.
As patients were leaving the facility, one man, Kossi Diabo, smiled widely. “I am very happy to be here this morning to get a healing from God,” he said, “and would thank Mercy Ships for what they are doing. First I can’t see anything. Now, I can see! May God encourage you and give you strength.”
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